Coevolutionary Dynamics Caused by Asymmetries in Predator-Prey and Morphology-Behavior Relationships

Takashi Ito, Marcin Pilat, Reiji Suzuki, Takaya Arita

Abstract

Predator-prey interactions are the key element of ecological
systems. We present the results of morphology-behavior
predator-prey coevolution in a 3D physically simulated environment.
The morphologies and behaviors of virtual creature
predators and prey are evolved using a genetic algorithm
and random one-on-one encounters in a shared environment.
There are two levels of asymmetries in the model: One is
between two species, predators and prey, and the other is between
two traits in each species, morphology and behavior.
We analyze and discuss the complex coevolutionary dynamics
caused by the asymmetries on the basis of quantitative
characterization of morphology and behavior.